Ice Road Truckers (2007) s08e08 Episode Script
Highway to Hell
Narrator: Now Todd: Whoa! Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Darrell: This is gonna be rough! Narrator: the action heats up! Todd: We're not truckin' anymore, we're motocrossin'.
Narrator: The drivers hummer down Art: Tires are like fucking skis out there.
Narrator: as the season Gonna get stuck.
He's gonna get stuck.
Narrator: goes off the rails.
It's a little uglier there.
Narrator: In Winnipeg, Manitoba Darrell: Yeah, I need to make some phone calls.
I need to find a load to get me outta here today.
Narrator: Darrell Ward is on the hunt for another load.
Hello, John? Yeah.
No, this is Darrell.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm looking for some loads.
Yeah, I got my own truck.
I don't work for Mark anymore.
Narrator: Since quitting Polar Mark: - You're in or you're out? Darrell: - Right on, I'm out the door! Narrator: and setting up his own company Good.
I'm back in business.
Narrator: the Montana Legend's been racking up hauls by undercutting Mark.
Darrell: (Honks) Thanks for the load, Mark! Nice.
Yup.
No, I'll haul it.
I'll come and get it right now.
Yeah.
Right.
All right, thanks.
Yeah, bye.
Stole another load from Polar.
Right on.
Just do it! Narrator: And today he scored his biggest of the season.
16 tonnes of building supplies heading to Deer Lake.
A load that was supposed to be part of Polar's expansion into Ontario.
The way I see it, you know, a load's a load.
It doesn't belong to anybody.
Whoever gets it on their back, takes it to their destination is the man who gets paid for it.
Narrator: To prove he's worth the paycheque, Darrell has promised to deliver the haul in record time! Haven't been over in Ontario here much.
Narrator: But for the renegade trucker, Ontario is a whole new ball game.
Not real familiar with these roads like I am the ones in Manitoba.
This road is not ploughed.
The snow's deep.
Narrator: The 150 mile trail is covered in a layer of new snowfall.
Fresh snow on the ground and that's not good for the ice road though.
Narrator: creating slick conditions at every turn.
(Truck engine rumbles) Darrell: Easy! It's slick! Whoa! Whoa! (Truck whines) If you were to come into one of these corners too fast, the front end slides up from underneath you, right into the snow bank.
You're stuck deep.
Narrator: One wrong move could send Darrell's new venture straight into the ditch.
Easy there, buddy.
Holy fuck! This is gonna be rough! Fuck! These roads are rough! Narrator: As Darrell battles the brutal road to Deer Lake he is not alone.
100 miles ahead, Art Burke's already been knee deep in the trail for six hours! Art: So you gotta be careful, boy.
So I'm trying to watch these turns, eh.
This is fucking slippery now! Tires is like skis out there.
We are spinning, boy.
I've slid off before.
It wouldn't be a first.
So we're at Spirit Lake and it's like 3:00 o'clock.
So I'm hoping to get half this load off and continue my journey to Deer Lake.
Narrator: The Polar driver makes a pit stop at North Spirit Lake to deliver half a load before continuing on.
Art: Hello there! How are you today? Woman: Good.
Narrator: But first he's gotta find the drop-off point.
Any special spot or anything that I have to go there? If I keep left all the way that will take me right to the band-- Okay cool.
Thank you very much.
I guess we're off.
Thank you very much.
So we go left and then we go another left.
Takes us to the band office.
This might be okay, man.
Left and then another left.
I gotta take some of that into here to you, guys.
Man: No, no.
You gotta go right.
Art: - Okay.
Man: - Then left.
Art: Okay.
Okay, buddy.
It's always a little bit of a fucking show gettin' started, eh? Okay, back on this thing again.
Oh-oh.
That don't look good.
That don't look good at all.
What the fuck? What in the fuck is goin' on here?! I'm gonna go in there and see what the fuck is happenin'.
Narrator: While Art checks his directions 300 miles to the northwest, a Polar convoy is on one of their toughest missions of the season.
Todd: Headed there with some lumber and some building supplies.
I got these pontoon boats on here.
Narrator: Todd Dewey and Lisa Kelly, are braving the notorious untamed trail to Utik Lake.
Todd: I'm going back to a place I named at the beginning of the season called "Highway To Hell.
" Lisa: When was the last you were here, how long ago? Todd: A month ago.
Safe to say I didn't make it a couple of different times.
I was stuck for hours digging.
Pushing, shoving got out got stuck again.
It was a nasty run.
Narrator: On his first trip up to Highway To Hell Whoa! Narrator: the road fought back Todd: We're stuck.
Narrator: and Todd was stranded for over 24-hours.
Do you think it's gonna be like that again this trip? Todd: I know they've been workin' on that new winter road, so I'm hoping it's in good shape.
Narrator: Now he's leading the convoy back up the rugged 160 mile path.
Not any trucks have been on it yet.
We're the first ones on the new road.
Narrator: But this time they'll go even further than anyone has ever attempted before.
Todd: I've been told that there's a river they're having a hard time getting froze up there, 'cause the current is so strong.
Narrator: Forcing them to confront a newly constructed river crossing that might not be ready for prime time.
Todd: From what I heard, the reason they're having a hard time getting it froze over is because the current's so strong that you know, the current obviously was not letting it freeze over like it should.
So apparently they were trying to flood it, do some other things, and trying to get, you know, more ice on it.
Yeah.
10-4.
So are they drilling holes to see if it's gonna hold us? I mean, like what is our assurance here that we're not gonna promptly fall through? Yeah, there ain't none.
Wait, that doesn't make any sense.
Well, just get it here and do what we do best and drive these roads.
Todd's in front, that's all I can say.
(Tires crunch in the snow) Narrator: But before they even reach the crossing The snow is deep in here, buddy.
Narrator: they've still gotta tackle the narrow unploughed road.
Boy, Lis, soft road.
I'm trying.
It seems like it keeps getting softer and softer.
It's definitely getting harder and harder to steer.
Todd: Oh, I know it.
I'm trying to go a little bit faster, I think, to help plough the snow out and then Lisa It's not so hard for Lisa's tires to go through the ruts 'cause it ploughs out that big wide truck route for her.
I hope I don't get stuck.
Narrator: To get through the deep snow, the convoy is gunning it Shit! Narrator: But the faster they go, the bigger the chance they'll lose control.
Lisa: It's really soft.
So you're like in the middle in the track and that's it! You go off that track and you're just fighting your steering wheel to keep it on your track.
Gonna get stuck.
He's gonna get stuck.
We're not truckin' anymore, we're motocrossin'.
Hold on! Hang on, buddy! (Truck whines) Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Narrator: On the remote private trail to Utik Lake We're not truckin' anymore, we're motocrossin'.
Narrator: Todd Dewey's season could be slipping away Hang on, buddy! (Truck whines) Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Holy shit! Shit pulled me right over into the bank.
Dang it! I don't remember this road like this, buddy.
Oh my gosh! I keep going faster and faster because that's just my Every bone in my body wants to go faster.
Narrator: Keeping their 20 tonne load on the narrow path is taking every ounce of skill he's got.
I don't give a fuck, I'm not slowing down.
That I know.
Narrator: With over 90 miles of untamed road and a river crossing that might not be frozen, the convoy still got a tough job ahead.
I guess it's one of those "We'll see when we get up here" situations on what the hell is actually really going on? Narrator: While Polar rolls on 140 miles to the southeast in St.
Theresa Point Alex: I can take 10 cars.
Will you help me if I take 10? Man: Yeah, I'll do that.
Narrator: their rivals are looking to crush it Alex: The car crusher is the one that Hugh brought out.
I'm just hoping there's nobody in those cars! Narrator: Alex Debogorski is loading up his trailer with 12 tons of mangled steel.
Alex: That's flatter than your average flat car.
Narrator: It's all part of VP's master plan.
Over 4,000 cars and trucks have reached the end of the road in St.
Theresa.
This'll be the heaviest load going up the ice this year.
Narrator: And after boss Hugh Roland, delivered the mammoth car crusher to the tiny village Narrator: VP locked in an exclusive contract hauling the valuable metal back to Winnipeg.
Well, it's definitely an interesting looking load.
Narrator: And today the old pro is trying to bring in the first load.
See how that stays on bouncing through the bush.
Narrator: But with warming temperatures making for a slick trail, the veteran will have his hands full.
Narrator: 130 miles to the southeast in Ontario (Honking) We got a load going Deer Lake.
I haven't been to Deer Lake before.
Narrator: Darrell Ward's new company is kicking into high gear.
Darrell: I jacked a number from Mark and I got the load.
So, here I am.
(Laughs) Narrator: Polar has been dominating the remote trail to Deer Lake, by the Montana Legend is looking to muscle in on their territory by delivering the loads faster.
You know, running my own company after I left Polar is priceless.
You know, a little extra work, a little harder work, but ah, reap the benefits, you know.
Give it to me, I'll take it.
Any load on any road.
Narrator: But to complete the 420 mile journey Darrell: So I'm coming up on the ice crossing here.
I'm gonna pull over.
Narrator: he's gotta get over Spirit Lake.
Darrell: Looks like a pretty big one too.
Narrator: At over 2 and a half miles, the crossing's one of the longest in all of North America.
Darrell: I've never been here before.
When you pull out there at 80-thousand-pounds, you know, you don't know how thick it is.
Crossing the ice, is kind of like playing Russian roulette.
(Water bubbles) You never know when it's gonna go off.
Wow It looks like I came across an old cemetery in the middle of the ice and frozen world.
A little eerie A little eerie.
I don't need to disturb those who are sleeping.
Wow (Truck engine rumbles) It's cracking! Narrator: On the crossing at Spirit Lake Darrell: It's cracking! (Ice cracking, water bubbles) Narrator: Darrell Ward's on shaky ground Darrell: They say coming down on to the ice, you know, your edge is your weakest point so Narrator: The Montana Legend is looking to make record time to Deer Lake, and take a bite out of one of Polar's biggest contracts.
I hear a little ice cracking under me.
(Ice cracking) Oooh yeah, you can hear it cracking.
Narrator: But the faster he goes the more The Lone Wolf trucker pressures the ice (Water bubbles) causes the water below to stir.
Long ways across the ice here.
Darrell: Kind of an eerie feeling when you know you're the only tracks out here.
You know you're the only one out here.
Move out to the far edge of it, coming on to the ice and getting off of the ice is your weakest point.
The biggest mistake you can make is going too fast out here.
(Ice cracking, water bubbles) (Ice cracking) Narrator: With the crossing behind him, Darrell guns it for Deer Lake.
You gotta run these roads and you might have to pay the reaper some day! Narrator: As night time falls 220 miles to the northwest, on the unmaintained road to Utik Lake Yeah.
We're at an ice crossing here.
We're gonna I'm gonna slow up, Lis, and stop.
Narrator: Polar drivers Todd Dewey and Lisa Kelly, have made it through heavy snowdrifts, but their trip's about to get harder.
Lisa: There's a river crossing or lake crossing.
I think it's a river crossing then.
They just built out here and nobody has been across it yet.
So me and Todd are gonna the first one that crossed it and no one has really like come out here and tested it so Yeah.
Right behind you.
Lisa: - Okay, be right there.
Todd: - Okay.
Narrator: With the fast moving current the ice may not be frozen solid enough for travel.
Feel this underneath here.
It's ah it's not even Look at the ice.
It's not even flat.
Look at my heel.
It's breaking through the top.
Lisa: Yeah.
Todd: - Literally.
Lisa: - Yeah, look.
Todd: Yeah.
It's not Like it's not even frozen.
Listen to the ice.
You know what that means? Lisa: No.
Todd: It's still water on it.
It's still not frozen.
That's the only reason it's gonna be that slippery.
I mean it is Yeah, sca-ry! The more I stand here the more nervous I'm gonna get then the more I'm not gonna want to do it.
So while I'm still in the mood I might as well just go.
Okay! (Door slams shut) You ready, Lis? Lisa: All right.
I'm ready.
Todd: Okay.
Here I go.
(Truck engine hums) (Ice cracking) Todd: It's not like this is just another ice road.
It's the first time this ice road has ever been travelled on by a truck, period.
It's a brand new road.
If you see my trailer disappear do not come out.
Lisa: Yeah.
Copy that there, good buddy.
Don't go through please.
You can really hear the ice breaking underneath the tires.
Ho-ly fuck! (Ice cracking loudly) Boy, she's a crackling son-of a-bitch, I tell you what.
Narrator: With one big rig already pressuring the newly built crossing I'm dropping down on it now.
Narrator: Lisa adds another (Ice cracking) Oh yeah, she's a poppin'.
Todd: I don't know if it's the ice poppin' or just the top layer breakin'.
And it looks like the road is gonna really the right out here, lis.
Well, you'll see my track so, yeah, this is-- this is weird.
(Truck engine rumbles) (Ice cracking) There's a little bit of a hill on the other side too.
Just letting you know that ah Hold on, I might have to back up here.
I'm fucking spinning big time.
Narrator: At the crossing's edge the last and toughest obstacle remains-- a steep hill that takes increased speed to mount.
(Truck whines) Narrator: Failure means a roll downhill and back on to the fragile ice.
Todd: Come on, you son-of-a-bitch, dig! All right, I'm off, Lis.
I made it.
I think it tore it up pretty good.
Narrator: Todd made it over.
Now it's Lisa's turn.
Lisa: Okay.
The hill is right over here.
I'm hoping I'm gonna make it up this hill on the other side.
I can't really run for it on the lake.
(Chains clink, tires spin) Lisa: I'm not making the hill.
I didn't get any run for it.
Narrator: The hill won the first battle, so Lisa must reverse back on to the weakened ice and try it again.
Todd: Don't back down too far on that fucking river.
We were lucky to get across and Oh man.
Lisa: I don't want to go fast on this thing.
I'm gonna have to go fast on this river and I don't want to.
(Engine roars) And I don't want to go fast on this ice.
Lisa: Oh my gosh! These are the most extreme conditions I have ever travelled on.
Ice Road Tru-- Narrator: On the untamed ice crossing to Utik Lake And I don't want to go fast on this ice.
Narrator: Lisa's problems are mounting.
Lisa: I didn't make it a second time, Todd.
Todd: Are you kiddin' me?! Lisa: No, I'm freaking not doing anything here.
I think you loosened her up for me.
Narrator: After two failed attempts to scale a hill at the crossings edge, Lisa will back up and try to gun it even harder! But each time she rolls back on to the barely formed ice, it fractures even more.
And increased speed could be too much for it to bear.
Lisa: And I got it all messed up now.
What gear did you pull that hill in? And then just really As I went up I was real high on the RPM.
I just gradually let the pedal off and just kept my traction all the way to the top where I was almost stopped.
I'm just hoping I don't break this ice by trying to get a run for it.
Todd: I hear ya.
Lisa: All right, I'm gonna give 'er a go from here, I'm around the corner.
Oh man! Who likes to go this fast on ice? Frickin' nobody.
(Engine roars) Come on, girl! Come on, Lis Oh! Okay.
Made it.
Todd: Ahah! That-a girl.
I knew you could make 'er! Lisa: All right.
You can start moving.
Narrator: Lisa is off the ice.
I'm glad the ice held for my third run at it.
Todd: Wow! Well, good job, Lis.
You made it.
Good job.
Narrator: An hour later (Truck honks) Todd: Looks like we made it! Narrator: the convoy pulls into Utik Lake.
Despite tangling with over 90 miles of unmaintained road, Lisa and Todd came through big for Polar.
I'm kind of excited to call Mark and tell him, that you know, that the first two loads made it and that it was challenging.
And But he'll be happy that we made it for him.
Narrator: But Polar's competition is on the move Alex: Probably I got about Narrator: hauling 12 tonnes on crushed cars Alex Debogorski is halfway back to Winnipeg from St.
Theresa Point.
Alex: I've got 10 crushed cars in the back.
Generally these cars just collect in the far north.
Now that St.
Theresa Point has a crusher, they'll squash all their cars and they'll load 'em on the trucks.
So this way the junk will get hauled out of community.
It'll get shipped some place for smelting.
Narrator: Late into the night the road's getting even slicker by the hour.
Alex: The road gets better and better.
Everything is going not bad considering I only have low beams for lights which is better than no beams.
Narrator: Without high beams to help him spot the twists and turns of the trail Alex: Yeah, I don't know what I have.
I got daylight driving lights and I've got low beams.
That's it.
Got a poor set of low beams.
Narrator: the veteran's gotta rely on his instincts to make split second decisions.
Alex: This is gonna be the roughest part of our trip here Potholes and hills Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay What do we got up here? (Gears grind, crash) Narrator: On the remote trail out of St.
Theresa Point, Alex's load of crushed cars What do we got up here? Narrator: is about to get parked.
(Gears grind) (Loud crash) So dumb.
Gee whiz Now I rolled in a snow bank in that corner.
I don't know what the heck happened.
She just didn't turn very good.
Must have been a little too quick for the corner.
Lovely (Engine revs) Narrator: The veteran's miles from the nearest town Alex: It's not much of a shovel.
It will have to do.
Narrator: So he's gotta dig his way out of trouble.
(Grunts) Narrator: But for the old pro, it's easier said than done.
Alex: As you can see, the shovel is not very big so there's gonna be lots of swipes.
It's never a joyous occasion when you go in a snow bank.
(Engine revs) Narrator: Too exhausted to keep shovelling, the veteran retreats to his cab and relays on his remaining fuel to keep him warm.
Alex: I am gonna be spending the night right here in the snow bank.
I can't believe I've got nothing to eat in here hardly.
I got some survival rations.
They're old as the hills.
I've been carrying these survival rations around for betcha five years.
Narrator: As the clock strikes Alex: Solid snow at the back there.
I'm buried.
A little too quick for the corner.
Okay, I'll put the strap on.
So just go as hard as you can.
(Truck engine rumbles) - (Loud clank) Alex: - Whoa! Shit! Holy smoke! You did get me over a little bit.
Narrator: Cold and tired, Alex straps up for another try.
(Truck engine roars) (Truck creaks) (Truck engine roars) Alex: Thank you.
Narrator: After a six hour ordeal, Alex is finally back on the road.
Alex: Come on, let's go.
Okay, we're done with that snow bank.
Now we gotta go look for the next one.
Well, that was a workout.
It's a good thing they're wrecked already.
I can't wreck those cars any worse.
Narrator: Coming up Art: I don't know what the story is on this lake.
Narrator: things that go bump in the night.
Maybe this is a haunted lake.
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hooo! Narrator: Deep in Ontario All right, hammer down, boy! Narrator: with the first half of his lumber haul delivered, Art Burke's charging to Deer Lake.
Art: There's gonna be nobody ploughing this or looking after this.
This is totally on your own.
I better fucking slow down here.
(Air brakes hiss) Narrator: But to get through the last 40 miles, he'll have to cross Meddick Lake in the dead of night.
There's a fracture that's open that wide already, man.
We just fucking steer it around this.
I don't know what the story is on this lake.
Full moon tonight too, eh? Maybe this is a haunted lake.
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hooo! It's too late now.
Well, we're just pulling down onto the ice here now.
She's cracking and popping already.
(Ice cracking) She's driving pretty good, I'll tell you that.
(Ice cracking) I don't like that sound.
Fuck! This is all cracked to hell already, did you notice? There's cracks in this thing! Well, that one down there has gotta be about 4-inches wide! This rig is gonna go down through and the water is gonna come in and the ice is gonna close over the top of us.
And that's the end of the fucking game, boy.
- Pitch black.
Cold as a bastard.
Producer: - Dude! - We wouldn't last long I don't think.
Producer: - Dude! - I'm not tryin' to freak you out but Producer: - But you are.
If it over cracks, I'm outta the truck.
Look at the big fucking hole over there.
Look look! Fucking shit, man.
Whoa! It's a dangerous fucking spot here, boy.
This is not cool by any means, eh? I'll be glad to get off of this lake.
Stretched to the fucking limit.
Narrator: Clear of the crossing, Art aims for Deer Lake.
Art: Okay, back on this thing again.
Narrator: Just before the crack of dawn Alex: We made 'er.
Oh yeah-yeah-yeah.
Holy mackerel.
I'm a little damp.
Worked up a sweat there.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski brings in his trailer of crushed cars to Winnipeg.
Alex: Just got here with my load of squashed cars.
And here I am, happier than a pig in poop.
Narrator: The haul was the first for VP's lucrative contract and could spell the end for rival Polar.
Alex: I'm ready for bed.
Narrator: As morning breaks on the winter roads in Deer Lake, Ontario Darrell: I've gotta run across this last little bit and I'm in Deer Lake.
Narrator: Darrell Ward arrives ahead of schedule.
What an awesome spot.
Looks like we got a Polar truck in here.
Narrator: And there's an old friend in the yard.
Looks like Art.
Art: Hey Darrell, you got a copy over there, boy? Darrell: Hey Art, what are you doin'? Art: I'm wondering what you're doing, boy.
What are you doing up around this neck of the woods in Ontario, boy? Ah, you know, I got quite a few loads in Ontario here to take care of.
Art: Where you getting all the loads, boy? You stealing them from Mark? Darrell: Trying to.
Fuck, man.
Good day, boy.
Darrell: - Polar?! Art: - You made her.
Art: You're the competition now, eh? Darrel: - Yeah.
Art: - Holy fuck! You're gonna see me everywhere you go.
Art: - Yeah? (Laugh) Darrell: - Yeah.
Art: Well, why'd you leave Polar anyway, boy? All I was doing was sitting around the shop working on shit and not getting paid for it.
I don't have to put up with no shit.
The only shit I gotta put up with now is my own.
Art: Your own, yeah.
Darrell: - Yeah.
Art: - That's a lot.
(Laugh) It gets pretty (Inaudible) Darrell: I had a nice little visit with Art.
You know, I like Art.
Art is a good driver.
But I think he was surprised to see me there with a Polar load.
We'll see how fast that gets back.
That was a nice little chat and all that jazz.
But the bottom line here now Darrell is poaching our fucking loads, eh? He hasn't got one on me yet, but you never know.
It's none of my business what he does unless he steals my load.
(Honks) Narrator: Next time Hugh: We're truckin' now, buddy.
We're truckin' now.
Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Holy fuck! Narrator: more thrashes Whoa! Narrator: and crashes Narrator: as battle on the winter roads Narrator: explodes! - (Loud explosion) Lisa: - Holy cow! (Laughs)
Narrator: The drivers hummer down Art: Tires are like fucking skis out there.
Narrator: as the season Gonna get stuck.
He's gonna get stuck.
Narrator: goes off the rails.
It's a little uglier there.
Narrator: In Winnipeg, Manitoba Darrell: Yeah, I need to make some phone calls.
I need to find a load to get me outta here today.
Narrator: Darrell Ward is on the hunt for another load.
Hello, John? Yeah.
No, this is Darrell.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm looking for some loads.
Yeah, I got my own truck.
I don't work for Mark anymore.
Narrator: Since quitting Polar Mark: - You're in or you're out? Darrell: - Right on, I'm out the door! Narrator: and setting up his own company Good.
I'm back in business.
Narrator: the Montana Legend's been racking up hauls by undercutting Mark.
Darrell: (Honks) Thanks for the load, Mark! Nice.
Yup.
No, I'll haul it.
I'll come and get it right now.
Yeah.
Right.
All right, thanks.
Yeah, bye.
Stole another load from Polar.
Right on.
Just do it! Narrator: And today he scored his biggest of the season.
16 tonnes of building supplies heading to Deer Lake.
A load that was supposed to be part of Polar's expansion into Ontario.
The way I see it, you know, a load's a load.
It doesn't belong to anybody.
Whoever gets it on their back, takes it to their destination is the man who gets paid for it.
Narrator: To prove he's worth the paycheque, Darrell has promised to deliver the haul in record time! Haven't been over in Ontario here much.
Narrator: But for the renegade trucker, Ontario is a whole new ball game.
Not real familiar with these roads like I am the ones in Manitoba.
This road is not ploughed.
The snow's deep.
Narrator: The 150 mile trail is covered in a layer of new snowfall.
Fresh snow on the ground and that's not good for the ice road though.
Narrator: creating slick conditions at every turn.
(Truck engine rumbles) Darrell: Easy! It's slick! Whoa! Whoa! (Truck whines) If you were to come into one of these corners too fast, the front end slides up from underneath you, right into the snow bank.
You're stuck deep.
Narrator: One wrong move could send Darrell's new venture straight into the ditch.
Easy there, buddy.
Holy fuck! This is gonna be rough! Fuck! These roads are rough! Narrator: As Darrell battles the brutal road to Deer Lake he is not alone.
100 miles ahead, Art Burke's already been knee deep in the trail for six hours! Art: So you gotta be careful, boy.
So I'm trying to watch these turns, eh.
This is fucking slippery now! Tires is like skis out there.
We are spinning, boy.
I've slid off before.
It wouldn't be a first.
So we're at Spirit Lake and it's like 3:00 o'clock.
So I'm hoping to get half this load off and continue my journey to Deer Lake.
Narrator: The Polar driver makes a pit stop at North Spirit Lake to deliver half a load before continuing on.
Art: Hello there! How are you today? Woman: Good.
Narrator: But first he's gotta find the drop-off point.
Any special spot or anything that I have to go there? If I keep left all the way that will take me right to the band-- Okay cool.
Thank you very much.
I guess we're off.
Thank you very much.
So we go left and then we go another left.
Takes us to the band office.
This might be okay, man.
Left and then another left.
I gotta take some of that into here to you, guys.
Man: No, no.
You gotta go right.
Art: - Okay.
Man: - Then left.
Art: Okay.
Okay, buddy.
It's always a little bit of a fucking show gettin' started, eh? Okay, back on this thing again.
Oh-oh.
That don't look good.
That don't look good at all.
What the fuck? What in the fuck is goin' on here?! I'm gonna go in there and see what the fuck is happenin'.
Narrator: While Art checks his directions 300 miles to the northwest, a Polar convoy is on one of their toughest missions of the season.
Todd: Headed there with some lumber and some building supplies.
I got these pontoon boats on here.
Narrator: Todd Dewey and Lisa Kelly, are braving the notorious untamed trail to Utik Lake.
Todd: I'm going back to a place I named at the beginning of the season called "Highway To Hell.
" Lisa: When was the last you were here, how long ago? Todd: A month ago.
Safe to say I didn't make it a couple of different times.
I was stuck for hours digging.
Pushing, shoving got out got stuck again.
It was a nasty run.
Narrator: On his first trip up to Highway To Hell Whoa! Narrator: the road fought back Todd: We're stuck.
Narrator: and Todd was stranded for over 24-hours.
Do you think it's gonna be like that again this trip? Todd: I know they've been workin' on that new winter road, so I'm hoping it's in good shape.
Narrator: Now he's leading the convoy back up the rugged 160 mile path.
Not any trucks have been on it yet.
We're the first ones on the new road.
Narrator: But this time they'll go even further than anyone has ever attempted before.
Todd: I've been told that there's a river they're having a hard time getting froze up there, 'cause the current is so strong.
Narrator: Forcing them to confront a newly constructed river crossing that might not be ready for prime time.
Todd: From what I heard, the reason they're having a hard time getting it froze over is because the current's so strong that you know, the current obviously was not letting it freeze over like it should.
So apparently they were trying to flood it, do some other things, and trying to get, you know, more ice on it.
Yeah.
10-4.
So are they drilling holes to see if it's gonna hold us? I mean, like what is our assurance here that we're not gonna promptly fall through? Yeah, there ain't none.
Wait, that doesn't make any sense.
Well, just get it here and do what we do best and drive these roads.
Todd's in front, that's all I can say.
(Tires crunch in the snow) Narrator: But before they even reach the crossing The snow is deep in here, buddy.
Narrator: they've still gotta tackle the narrow unploughed road.
Boy, Lis, soft road.
I'm trying.
It seems like it keeps getting softer and softer.
It's definitely getting harder and harder to steer.
Todd: Oh, I know it.
I'm trying to go a little bit faster, I think, to help plough the snow out and then Lisa It's not so hard for Lisa's tires to go through the ruts 'cause it ploughs out that big wide truck route for her.
I hope I don't get stuck.
Narrator: To get through the deep snow, the convoy is gunning it Shit! Narrator: But the faster they go, the bigger the chance they'll lose control.
Lisa: It's really soft.
So you're like in the middle in the track and that's it! You go off that track and you're just fighting your steering wheel to keep it on your track.
Gonna get stuck.
He's gonna get stuck.
We're not truckin' anymore, we're motocrossin'.
Hold on! Hang on, buddy! (Truck whines) Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Narrator: On the remote private trail to Utik Lake We're not truckin' anymore, we're motocrossin'.
Narrator: Todd Dewey's season could be slipping away Hang on, buddy! (Truck whines) Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Holy shit! Shit pulled me right over into the bank.
Dang it! I don't remember this road like this, buddy.
Oh my gosh! I keep going faster and faster because that's just my Every bone in my body wants to go faster.
Narrator: Keeping their 20 tonne load on the narrow path is taking every ounce of skill he's got.
I don't give a fuck, I'm not slowing down.
That I know.
Narrator: With over 90 miles of untamed road and a river crossing that might not be frozen, the convoy still got a tough job ahead.
I guess it's one of those "We'll see when we get up here" situations on what the hell is actually really going on? Narrator: While Polar rolls on 140 miles to the southeast in St.
Theresa Point Alex: I can take 10 cars.
Will you help me if I take 10? Man: Yeah, I'll do that.
Narrator: their rivals are looking to crush it Alex: The car crusher is the one that Hugh brought out.
I'm just hoping there's nobody in those cars! Narrator: Alex Debogorski is loading up his trailer with 12 tons of mangled steel.
Alex: That's flatter than your average flat car.
Narrator: It's all part of VP's master plan.
Over 4,000 cars and trucks have reached the end of the road in St.
Theresa.
This'll be the heaviest load going up the ice this year.
Narrator: And after boss Hugh Roland, delivered the mammoth car crusher to the tiny village Narrator: VP locked in an exclusive contract hauling the valuable metal back to Winnipeg.
Well, it's definitely an interesting looking load.
Narrator: And today the old pro is trying to bring in the first load.
See how that stays on bouncing through the bush.
Narrator: But with warming temperatures making for a slick trail, the veteran will have his hands full.
Narrator: 130 miles to the southeast in Ontario (Honking) We got a load going Deer Lake.
I haven't been to Deer Lake before.
Narrator: Darrell Ward's new company is kicking into high gear.
Darrell: I jacked a number from Mark and I got the load.
So, here I am.
(Laughs) Narrator: Polar has been dominating the remote trail to Deer Lake, by the Montana Legend is looking to muscle in on their territory by delivering the loads faster.
You know, running my own company after I left Polar is priceless.
You know, a little extra work, a little harder work, but ah, reap the benefits, you know.
Give it to me, I'll take it.
Any load on any road.
Narrator: But to complete the 420 mile journey Darrell: So I'm coming up on the ice crossing here.
I'm gonna pull over.
Narrator: he's gotta get over Spirit Lake.
Darrell: Looks like a pretty big one too.
Narrator: At over 2 and a half miles, the crossing's one of the longest in all of North America.
Darrell: I've never been here before.
When you pull out there at 80-thousand-pounds, you know, you don't know how thick it is.
Crossing the ice, is kind of like playing Russian roulette.
(Water bubbles) You never know when it's gonna go off.
Wow It looks like I came across an old cemetery in the middle of the ice and frozen world.
A little eerie A little eerie.
I don't need to disturb those who are sleeping.
Wow (Truck engine rumbles) It's cracking! Narrator: On the crossing at Spirit Lake Darrell: It's cracking! (Ice cracking, water bubbles) Narrator: Darrell Ward's on shaky ground Darrell: They say coming down on to the ice, you know, your edge is your weakest point so Narrator: The Montana Legend is looking to make record time to Deer Lake, and take a bite out of one of Polar's biggest contracts.
I hear a little ice cracking under me.
(Ice cracking) Oooh yeah, you can hear it cracking.
Narrator: But the faster he goes the more The Lone Wolf trucker pressures the ice (Water bubbles) causes the water below to stir.
Long ways across the ice here.
Darrell: Kind of an eerie feeling when you know you're the only tracks out here.
You know you're the only one out here.
Move out to the far edge of it, coming on to the ice and getting off of the ice is your weakest point.
The biggest mistake you can make is going too fast out here.
(Ice cracking, water bubbles) (Ice cracking) Narrator: With the crossing behind him, Darrell guns it for Deer Lake.
You gotta run these roads and you might have to pay the reaper some day! Narrator: As night time falls 220 miles to the northwest, on the unmaintained road to Utik Lake Yeah.
We're at an ice crossing here.
We're gonna I'm gonna slow up, Lis, and stop.
Narrator: Polar drivers Todd Dewey and Lisa Kelly, have made it through heavy snowdrifts, but their trip's about to get harder.
Lisa: There's a river crossing or lake crossing.
I think it's a river crossing then.
They just built out here and nobody has been across it yet.
So me and Todd are gonna the first one that crossed it and no one has really like come out here and tested it so Yeah.
Right behind you.
Lisa: - Okay, be right there.
Todd: - Okay.
Narrator: With the fast moving current the ice may not be frozen solid enough for travel.
Feel this underneath here.
It's ah it's not even Look at the ice.
It's not even flat.
Look at my heel.
It's breaking through the top.
Lisa: Yeah.
Todd: - Literally.
Lisa: - Yeah, look.
Todd: Yeah.
It's not Like it's not even frozen.
Listen to the ice.
You know what that means? Lisa: No.
Todd: It's still water on it.
It's still not frozen.
That's the only reason it's gonna be that slippery.
I mean it is Yeah, sca-ry! The more I stand here the more nervous I'm gonna get then the more I'm not gonna want to do it.
So while I'm still in the mood I might as well just go.
Okay! (Door slams shut) You ready, Lis? Lisa: All right.
I'm ready.
Todd: Okay.
Here I go.
(Truck engine hums) (Ice cracking) Todd: It's not like this is just another ice road.
It's the first time this ice road has ever been travelled on by a truck, period.
It's a brand new road.
If you see my trailer disappear do not come out.
Lisa: Yeah.
Copy that there, good buddy.
Don't go through please.
You can really hear the ice breaking underneath the tires.
Ho-ly fuck! (Ice cracking loudly) Boy, she's a crackling son-of a-bitch, I tell you what.
Narrator: With one big rig already pressuring the newly built crossing I'm dropping down on it now.
Narrator: Lisa adds another (Ice cracking) Oh yeah, she's a poppin'.
Todd: I don't know if it's the ice poppin' or just the top layer breakin'.
And it looks like the road is gonna really the right out here, lis.
Well, you'll see my track so, yeah, this is-- this is weird.
(Truck engine rumbles) (Ice cracking) There's a little bit of a hill on the other side too.
Just letting you know that ah Hold on, I might have to back up here.
I'm fucking spinning big time.
Narrator: At the crossing's edge the last and toughest obstacle remains-- a steep hill that takes increased speed to mount.
(Truck whines) Narrator: Failure means a roll downhill and back on to the fragile ice.
Todd: Come on, you son-of-a-bitch, dig! All right, I'm off, Lis.
I made it.
I think it tore it up pretty good.
Narrator: Todd made it over.
Now it's Lisa's turn.
Lisa: Okay.
The hill is right over here.
I'm hoping I'm gonna make it up this hill on the other side.
I can't really run for it on the lake.
(Chains clink, tires spin) Lisa: I'm not making the hill.
I didn't get any run for it.
Narrator: The hill won the first battle, so Lisa must reverse back on to the weakened ice and try it again.
Todd: Don't back down too far on that fucking river.
We were lucky to get across and Oh man.
Lisa: I don't want to go fast on this thing.
I'm gonna have to go fast on this river and I don't want to.
(Engine roars) And I don't want to go fast on this ice.
Lisa: Oh my gosh! These are the most extreme conditions I have ever travelled on.
Ice Road Tru-- Narrator: On the untamed ice crossing to Utik Lake And I don't want to go fast on this ice.
Narrator: Lisa's problems are mounting.
Lisa: I didn't make it a second time, Todd.
Todd: Are you kiddin' me?! Lisa: No, I'm freaking not doing anything here.
I think you loosened her up for me.
Narrator: After two failed attempts to scale a hill at the crossings edge, Lisa will back up and try to gun it even harder! But each time she rolls back on to the barely formed ice, it fractures even more.
And increased speed could be too much for it to bear.
Lisa: And I got it all messed up now.
What gear did you pull that hill in? And then just really As I went up I was real high on the RPM.
I just gradually let the pedal off and just kept my traction all the way to the top where I was almost stopped.
I'm just hoping I don't break this ice by trying to get a run for it.
Todd: I hear ya.
Lisa: All right, I'm gonna give 'er a go from here, I'm around the corner.
Oh man! Who likes to go this fast on ice? Frickin' nobody.
(Engine roars) Come on, girl! Come on, Lis Oh! Okay.
Made it.
Todd: Ahah! That-a girl.
I knew you could make 'er! Lisa: All right.
You can start moving.
Narrator: Lisa is off the ice.
I'm glad the ice held for my third run at it.
Todd: Wow! Well, good job, Lis.
You made it.
Good job.
Narrator: An hour later (Truck honks) Todd: Looks like we made it! Narrator: the convoy pulls into Utik Lake.
Despite tangling with over 90 miles of unmaintained road, Lisa and Todd came through big for Polar.
I'm kind of excited to call Mark and tell him, that you know, that the first two loads made it and that it was challenging.
And But he'll be happy that we made it for him.
Narrator: But Polar's competition is on the move Alex: Probably I got about Narrator: hauling 12 tonnes on crushed cars Alex Debogorski is halfway back to Winnipeg from St.
Theresa Point.
Alex: I've got 10 crushed cars in the back.
Generally these cars just collect in the far north.
Now that St.
Theresa Point has a crusher, they'll squash all their cars and they'll load 'em on the trucks.
So this way the junk will get hauled out of community.
It'll get shipped some place for smelting.
Narrator: Late into the night the road's getting even slicker by the hour.
Alex: The road gets better and better.
Everything is going not bad considering I only have low beams for lights which is better than no beams.
Narrator: Without high beams to help him spot the twists and turns of the trail Alex: Yeah, I don't know what I have.
I got daylight driving lights and I've got low beams.
That's it.
Got a poor set of low beams.
Narrator: the veteran's gotta rely on his instincts to make split second decisions.
Alex: This is gonna be the roughest part of our trip here Potholes and hills Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay What do we got up here? (Gears grind, crash) Narrator: On the remote trail out of St.
Theresa Point, Alex's load of crushed cars What do we got up here? Narrator: is about to get parked.
(Gears grind) (Loud crash) So dumb.
Gee whiz Now I rolled in a snow bank in that corner.
I don't know what the heck happened.
She just didn't turn very good.
Must have been a little too quick for the corner.
Lovely (Engine revs) Narrator: The veteran's miles from the nearest town Alex: It's not much of a shovel.
It will have to do.
Narrator: So he's gotta dig his way out of trouble.
(Grunts) Narrator: But for the old pro, it's easier said than done.
Alex: As you can see, the shovel is not very big so there's gonna be lots of swipes.
It's never a joyous occasion when you go in a snow bank.
(Engine revs) Narrator: Too exhausted to keep shovelling, the veteran retreats to his cab and relays on his remaining fuel to keep him warm.
Alex: I am gonna be spending the night right here in the snow bank.
I can't believe I've got nothing to eat in here hardly.
I got some survival rations.
They're old as the hills.
I've been carrying these survival rations around for betcha five years.
Narrator: As the clock strikes Alex: Solid snow at the back there.
I'm buried.
A little too quick for the corner.
Okay, I'll put the strap on.
So just go as hard as you can.
(Truck engine rumbles) - (Loud clank) Alex: - Whoa! Shit! Holy smoke! You did get me over a little bit.
Narrator: Cold and tired, Alex straps up for another try.
(Truck engine roars) (Truck creaks) (Truck engine roars) Alex: Thank you.
Narrator: After a six hour ordeal, Alex is finally back on the road.
Alex: Come on, let's go.
Okay, we're done with that snow bank.
Now we gotta go look for the next one.
Well, that was a workout.
It's a good thing they're wrecked already.
I can't wreck those cars any worse.
Narrator: Coming up Art: I don't know what the story is on this lake.
Narrator: things that go bump in the night.
Maybe this is a haunted lake.
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hooo! Narrator: Deep in Ontario All right, hammer down, boy! Narrator: with the first half of his lumber haul delivered, Art Burke's charging to Deer Lake.
Art: There's gonna be nobody ploughing this or looking after this.
This is totally on your own.
I better fucking slow down here.
(Air brakes hiss) Narrator: But to get through the last 40 miles, he'll have to cross Meddick Lake in the dead of night.
There's a fracture that's open that wide already, man.
We just fucking steer it around this.
I don't know what the story is on this lake.
Full moon tonight too, eh? Maybe this is a haunted lake.
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hooo! It's too late now.
Well, we're just pulling down onto the ice here now.
She's cracking and popping already.
(Ice cracking) She's driving pretty good, I'll tell you that.
(Ice cracking) I don't like that sound.
Fuck! This is all cracked to hell already, did you notice? There's cracks in this thing! Well, that one down there has gotta be about 4-inches wide! This rig is gonna go down through and the water is gonna come in and the ice is gonna close over the top of us.
And that's the end of the fucking game, boy.
- Pitch black.
Cold as a bastard.
Producer: - Dude! - We wouldn't last long I don't think.
Producer: - Dude! - I'm not tryin' to freak you out but Producer: - But you are.
If it over cracks, I'm outta the truck.
Look at the big fucking hole over there.
Look look! Fucking shit, man.
Whoa! It's a dangerous fucking spot here, boy.
This is not cool by any means, eh? I'll be glad to get off of this lake.
Stretched to the fucking limit.
Narrator: Clear of the crossing, Art aims for Deer Lake.
Art: Okay, back on this thing again.
Narrator: Just before the crack of dawn Alex: We made 'er.
Oh yeah-yeah-yeah.
Holy mackerel.
I'm a little damp.
Worked up a sweat there.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski brings in his trailer of crushed cars to Winnipeg.
Alex: Just got here with my load of squashed cars.
And here I am, happier than a pig in poop.
Narrator: The haul was the first for VP's lucrative contract and could spell the end for rival Polar.
Alex: I'm ready for bed.
Narrator: As morning breaks on the winter roads in Deer Lake, Ontario Darrell: I've gotta run across this last little bit and I'm in Deer Lake.
Narrator: Darrell Ward arrives ahead of schedule.
What an awesome spot.
Looks like we got a Polar truck in here.
Narrator: And there's an old friend in the yard.
Looks like Art.
Art: Hey Darrell, you got a copy over there, boy? Darrell: Hey Art, what are you doin'? Art: I'm wondering what you're doing, boy.
What are you doing up around this neck of the woods in Ontario, boy? Ah, you know, I got quite a few loads in Ontario here to take care of.
Art: Where you getting all the loads, boy? You stealing them from Mark? Darrell: Trying to.
Fuck, man.
Good day, boy.
Darrell: - Polar?! Art: - You made her.
Art: You're the competition now, eh? Darrel: - Yeah.
Art: - Holy fuck! You're gonna see me everywhere you go.
Art: - Yeah? (Laugh) Darrell: - Yeah.
Art: Well, why'd you leave Polar anyway, boy? All I was doing was sitting around the shop working on shit and not getting paid for it.
I don't have to put up with no shit.
The only shit I gotta put up with now is my own.
Art: Your own, yeah.
Darrell: - Yeah.
Art: - That's a lot.
(Laugh) It gets pretty (Inaudible) Darrell: I had a nice little visit with Art.
You know, I like Art.
Art is a good driver.
But I think he was surprised to see me there with a Polar load.
We'll see how fast that gets back.
That was a nice little chat and all that jazz.
But the bottom line here now Darrell is poaching our fucking loads, eh? He hasn't got one on me yet, but you never know.
It's none of my business what he does unless he steals my load.
(Honks) Narrator: Next time Hugh: We're truckin' now, buddy.
We're truckin' now.
Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Holy fuck! Narrator: more thrashes Whoa! Narrator: and crashes Narrator: as battle on the winter roads Narrator: explodes! - (Loud explosion) Lisa: - Holy cow! (Laughs)